I. Jesus is God and There is None Better (Hebrews 1:1-4)

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

A. Consider the nature of His identity

Genesis 1:27 - God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

John 1:18a - No one has seen God at any time…

John 1:18b - …the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him…

Philippians 2:6 - He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped…

“I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made.” Nicene Creed

B. Recognize the significance of His position

The angels (chapter 1-2)

Moses (chapter 3)

He’s a better High Priest than the Old Testament high priests (chapters 4-10)

He is over a better covenant than the old covenant (chapter 8)

He’s a better sacrifice than the Old Testament sacrifices (chapters 9-10)

C. Understand the problem of idolatry

Romans 1:22-23, 25 - Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures…For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Jeremiah 2:11, 13-11 - Has a nation changed gods when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory For that which does not profit…For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

What is the one thing you can’t live without?

II. Christ is Our Sole Mediator and High Priest

A. Jesus became like us to free us (Hebrews 2:14-18)

Hebrews 2:14-18 - Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Philippians 2:7-8 - …but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

That Christ should come from the eternal bosom of his Father to a world of sorrow and death; that God should be manifested in the flesh, the Creator made a creature; that he was clothed with glory should be wrapped with rags of flesh; he that filled heaven and earth with his glory should be cradled in a manger; that the power of God should fly from weak man, the God of Israel into the land Egypt that the God of the law should be subject to the law, the God that made the heavens working in Joseph's humble trade; that he that binds the devils in chains should be tempted; that he, whose is the world, and the fullness thereof, should hunger and thirst; that the God of strength should be weary, the judge of all flesh-- condemned, the God of life put to death; that he that is one with the Father should cry out in misery, 'My God my, why have you forsaken me?'; that he that had the keys of hell and death at his side should lie imprisoned in the grave of another,
that head, before which the angels do cast down their crowns should be crowned with thorns, those eyes purer than the sun, put out by the darkness of death;
those ears, which hear nothing but hallelujahs of saints and angels, to hear the blasphemies of the multitude; that face, that was fairer than the sons of men, to be spit on that mouth and tongue that spoke such words of love, accused of blasphemy; those hands, that freely swayed the scepter of heaven, nailed to the cross; those feet; 'like unto brass', nailed to the cross
his soul, comfortless and forsaken; and all this for those very sins that Satan paints as good

Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices—Thomas Brooks

B. Jesus’ priesthood is unique

Hebrews 7:23-28 - The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

C. Realize the implications for you and me

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

III. Christ is the Only Source of Our Salvation

2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Hebrews 10:1-4 - For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:10-14 - By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

A. It had to be this way

Matthew 16:22 - Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”

B. His sacrifice was perfect

C. Respond appropriately to the Savior

Hebrews 10:19-25 - Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

i. Draw near to God (v22)

ii. Hold fast to your confession (v23)

iii. Consider how to stimulate and encourage others until the end (v24-25)

Josh is married to Shana and has three children: Winston, Cecilia, and Lorelai. Josh oversees the Faith West Campus. He is an ACBC Certified counselor and teaches in Faith’s Biblical Counseling Center. He also serves as the vice-chair of the Board of Directors for Faith Community Development Corporation and the Director of the Faith West Community Center.